Nonstalling self-energizing head for puncturing closure disks



Aug. 18, 1936. s. E. ALLEN ET Al. 2,051,589

NONSTALLIN-G SELF ENERGIZING HEAD FOR PUNCTURING CLOSURE DISKS Original Filed March 22, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l van ff WM ATToz/YEY Aug' 13, 1936- s. E. ALLEN ET Al. 2,051,589

NONSTALLING ,SELF ENERGIZING HEAD FOR PUNCTURING lGLOSURE DISKS original Filed March 22, 1929 3 sheets-sheet 2 V /6 Z6 /O 9 /Zg l J4 f /Z 30 I /4 5/ 2g l '50 M 56 52 49 Y 5. 63 57 vvvvvvv 62 Z//E/Toes:

ATTO/HEY Aug. 18, 1936. 5 E ALLEN ET AL NONSTALLING SELF ENERGIZING HEAD FOR PUNVCTURING CLOSURE DISKS Original Filed March 22, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 TTo/@NE X Patented Aug. 18, 1936` UNITED STATES NONSTALLING SELF-ENERGIZING HEAD FOR PUNCTURING CLOSURE DISKS Scott E. Allen, Glen Ridge, N. J., and Ozro N. Wiswell, Los Angeles, Calif., assignors to C-O-Two Fire Equipment Company, Newark,

N. J., a corporation of Delaware Continuation of application Serial No. 349,150, March 22, y1929. This application March 4,

1935, Serial N0. 9,346

41 Claims. (Cl. 169-11) The present application is a continuation of our co-pending application Serial No. 349,150, led March 22, 1929.

'I'his invention relates to a device for releasing uld from a container and the embodiment of the invention presented in this application is particularly adapted for releasing an extinguishing fluid from a container, it being understood, however, that the broader principles of the invention are not limited to the application or details herein set forth. Not only is the entire combination of the invention novel, but so far as we are informed certain parts comprising less than the whole are combinatively new.

In the art of extinguishing res by Ithe use of an extinguishing uid such as CO2, it is necessary to have a releasing device for the container, which contains the carbon dioxide gas, .which is susceptible of quick and positive action, so that the carbon dioxide gas may be delivered to the area of the fire as quickly as possible after the releasing device is actuated.

It is an object of this invention to provide a releasing device in which the opening through which the gas passes from the container will be entirely opened when the device is operated, so that the carbon dioxide gas may escape as quickly as possible.

It sometimes occurs that the actuating force of the releasingdevice will not entirely puncture the closure member for the container, or open the exhaust passage of the container, and for this reason the uid will flow slowly from the container and not pass as quickly as desirable to the area of the re.

It is one of the objects of our invention to provide a releasing device for the general use specifled, in which the pressure of the fluid released from the container is utilized to fully open the exhaust passage of the container.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a releasing device in which the puncturing member is caused to operate by an operating member, and in which the releasediiuid is directedagainst the operating member to assist in actuating it. 1

A still further object of the invention is to provide a releasing device of the character mentioned, in which a seal is formed around the puncturing member when it is in operated position, to

prevent a leakage around said puncturing member.

A more specific object of the invention is to 5 provide in connection with a container having an outlet opening normally closed by a penetrable closure member, a cutter slidably fitting the opening and a fluid actuated piston for operating the cutter to open the closure member. It is another object of the invention to provide a releasing device, in which the puncturing member is moved by pressure, and in which the fluid released from the container is utilized to assist in the operation of the puncturing member. In combination with this'structure, means 5 is provided for preventing the released fluid from reaching a point to assist in the operation of the puncturing member until the pressure of. the released liiuid vexceeds the pressure which primarilyoperates the puncturing member. 10

Another `object is to employ a tubular penetrating member constructed and arranged to cut a iiap out of the closure member so that the flap will be forced outwardly by pressure .of the huidA in the container but will remain integrally at- 15 tached to the body of the closure member.

Another obj ect is to provide safety means which will yield to abnormal pressure and prevent bursting of the closure member normally closingthe main discharge port of the container. 20

A still further object is to provide a relatively small port controlled. by said safety means whereby in case the safety means is caused to yield the recoil developed by the discharge through n the small safety port will be maintained within 26 desirable safety limits.

It is an object of the invention to provide a means for conveniently replacing and refilling the containers.

A further object of the invention is to provide 30 with a battery of containers and a set of interv connected control means for releasing uid from the containers, releasable connecting and Supa porting means for the containers whereby any of the containers may be individually removed and 35 lreplaced without disturbing the rest of the battery.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out in the ensuing description.

Referring to the drawings in which the inven- 40 tion is illustrated,

Fig. 1 is a view illustrating a typical application of devices embodying our invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical central section through a form of the invention which includes a piston as 45 an operating member, showing the parts in the unactuated position.

Fig. 3 is a plan or transverse section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a section similar to Fig. 1, but show- 5 ing parts of the releasing device in operated position.

Fig. 5 is a vertical central section through another form of our invention, which utilizes a dia'- 55 phragm as an operating member, showing the parts in the unactuated position.

Fig. 6 is a plan section taken on the line 6 8 of Fig. 5.

"Fig, 'I is a section similar to Fig. 5, but showing no the second form of the releasing device in operated position.

Referring to the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 2 to 4 inclusive, the numeral II designates a container, which is provided with a threaded projection I2. Formed through the threaded projection I2 is an outlet or exhaust opening I3 which is closed by a sealing disk or diaphragm I4. 'I'he diaphragm I4 is secured in place to close the exhaust opening I3 by means of a plug I6 screwed into a threaded counter bore or opening I1 at the outer end of the projection I2. A body I8 is attached to the projection to bear against a face I9 of the threaded projection I2. The attachment may be made by means of a union member 28, which is screwed onto the threads of the threaded projection I2.

The body I8 is provided with a central vertical cylindrical chamber 23, in which an operating member in the form of a piston 24 is arranged for reciprocatory motion. Carried by the piston 24 is a releasing member or a puncturing member 26. The puncturing member 26 is threadedly supported in an opening 21 of the piston 24. The lower end of the puncturing member 26 extends into a hole 28 formed in the plug I6, which holds the closure member I4 in place. The lower end of the puncturing member 26 is beveled oil or pitched asvclearly shown in Fig. 2. The end edge 38 of the member 26 is sharpened to readily penetrate and cut the closure member I4. It is to be noted that the lower end of the member 26 is cut away or notched at its uppermost part forming a recessed shoulder 38a and that the parts of the device are proportioned so that the cut away or notched part of the puncturing member does not cut the closure member when the device is operated. Through the notching or cutting away of the cutting edge of the member 26 and through the proportioning of parts, the closure member is cut so that its center part forms a flap |41: (Fig. 4) that is bent about the shoulder 38a as an anvil and folded back into the opening in the member 26 by the pressure of the fluid released from the container, but is not cut away or made kfree to be carried into the apparatus by the ow of iluid. Formed vertically through the puncturing member 26 and the piston 24 is an outlet passage 32, which is connected by lateral openings 33 to the upper part of the chamber 23 above the piston. It is to be noted that the cutting edge 38 is sharpened toward and coincides with the periphery of the passage 32, so that when the sealing disk is punctured the surrounding metal of the disk will jam tightly against the body of the cutter, forming a seal. A further advantage of having the cutting edge substantially coincident with the inner periphery of the cutter is that the flap is not of larger diameter than said periphery and is bent back readily into the cutter by the pressure of the released uid. Located in the outlet passage 32 is a check ball 34, which is normally retained against a seat 35 by means of gravity.

The upper part of the piston 24 has a stem 31 connected to it, which passes outward through an opening 38 of the body I8 and is provided with a handle 38 on the outer end thereof. The piston 24 is normally maintained at the top of its stroke by a spring 31a operating against the body I8 and the handle 33. Connected to the body I8 and in communication with the upper end of the chamber 23 are fluid pipes 48, 4I and 42.

'I'he lower part of the piston 24 is provided with a valve member 43, which is adapted to engage a seat 44 provided by the plug I6, when the parts of the device are in operated position, as shown in Fig. 4. To permit a free downward movement of the piston 24, vent openings 45 are formed in the lower part of the chamber 23 so that the pressure cannot be built up below the piston.

Communicating with the exhaust opening I3 is a ller opening 41 formed transversely in the container II and intersecting the exhaust opening I3. The filler opening 41 is closed at one end by a diaphragm 48 secured in place by a plug'48 which has an axial opening 58 and which is screwed into a threaded opening 5I in the container II. The other end of the filler opening 41 is closed by a ller valve consisting of a threaded body 52 threadedly secured into an opening 53 in the container. The body 52 is provided with an axial opening 54 providing a seat 55 for a ball valve 56 retained in the opening by a retainer 51. Arranged over. the outer end of the body 52 is a threaded cap 58. This form of the invention may be operated manually or may be operated by a fluid pressure. When manually operated, the piston 24 is depressed by forcing downward on the handle 38. 'I'he piston 24 and the puncturing member 26 move downward until the knife edge 38 of the puncturing member 26 penetrates the closure member I4. 'I'his will'allow the iiuid under pressure to escape from the container II through the exhaust opening I3 and into the outlet passage 32. The pressure of the fluid will unset the check ball 34 and the uld will pass into the upper part of the chamber 23. 'Ihe pressure of the released iiuid against the piston 24 will force it downward into a fully operated position as shown in Fig. 4. In this position, the closure member I4 is completely punctured and the fluid may quickly pass from the container II.

This fluid is carried from the chamber 23 through any of the pipes 48, 4I or 42. It will be seen that when the parts are in the position shown in Fig, 4, the valve 43 is in engagement with the seat 44, so that no fluid can leak around the puncturing member 26.

When the plunger is operated by a fluid pressure, the uid -pressure admitted through one of the pipes acts on the plunger and puncturing member to move them downward until the closure disk I4 is punctured. The fluid under pressure will pass through the exhaust opening I3 into the outlet passage 32,-but will not unseat- As a means for creating a iiuid pressure against y the piston 24 we may provide a means for supplying the uid under pressure from another cylinder or we may provide other means for creating a fluid pressure, such for example as an explosion plug shown in our application entitled Device for puncturing closure disk, Serial No. 208,717, filed July 27, 1927.

'I'he form of our invention shown in Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive has a body 68, which is secured to the threaded projection I2 by means of the union member 28. The body 68 includes a cover 6I, which is attached thereto by means of machine screws 62. l

The body 68 provides a chamber 63 in which an operating member in the form of a dia-- phragm 64 is secured. This daphragm 64 is secured between the lower part of the body 68 and the cover 6I. Supported by the diaphragm 64 is a puncturing member 65, which is secured thereto by means of a nut 66, screwed on to a threaded portion 61 of the puncturing member 65 that projects upwardly through the center of the diaphragm. The puncturing member 65 has a flange 68 below the diaphragm 64 and the nut 66 has a flange 10 above the diaphragm 64. The flanges are tightly clasped against the diaphragm to prevent leakage. The lower end oi' the puncture member 65 extends into the opening 28 of the plug I6 and is provided with a knife edge 1 I whereby the closure I4 may be punctured. An outlet passage 12 is provided vertically through the puncture member 65. The lower end of the passage 12 communicates with the lower end of the puncturing member and the upper end communicates with the chamber 63 by means of lateral openings 14 and the nut 66.

The puncturing member 65 is provided with a valve face 15, which engages the valve seat 16 when the parts are in operated position, as shown in Fig. 7. In order that the diaphragm 64 may readily move into operative position, the body 68 is provided with vent openings 11, which prevent a pressure from being built up in the member 6 below the diaphragm.

Attached to the cover' 6I and in communication with the chamber 63 are pipes 16 and 19. A fluid under pressure may be delivered to the chamber 63 through either of these pipes 18 or 19. We wish to point out that other means for producing a fluid pressure in the chamber 63 may be provided.

In the operation of this form of the invention,

a pressure is built up in the chamber 63, which moves the diaphragm and the puncturing member into the position shown in Fig. 7. The chamber 63, is, of course, open through the outlet passage 12, but by providing a close t between the' lower end of the puncturing member 65 and the opening 28 of the plug I6, the leakage will be very small. When the closure disk I4 is punctured the fluid under pressure will pass through the exhaust opening I3 of the container II and through the outlet passage 12 into the chamber 63, where the pressure thereof will be utilized to force the diaphragm 64 and the puncturing member 65 into completely operated position, as shown in Fig. 7. The released fluid may pass from the chamber 63 through either of the pipes 18 or 19. 'I'he engagement of the valve face 15 with the valve seat 16 prevents the released fluid from escaping around the puncturing member 15 and through the vent opening 11. It will. be noted that the cutting edge of the puncturing member shown in Figs. 5 and 7 is also sharpened toward and coincides with the periphery of the passage 12, so that when the disk I4 is cut there will be a tight seal of the disk against the body of the cutter. This is indicat-ed in Fig. 7 where the cut edge of lip I4' of the disk is cupped downwardly by the puncturing member and bears against the bevel of the cutting edge. The puncturing member cuts out a piece I4a from the disk I4 and this piece is blown by the fluid pressure through the ,puncturing member so that it lodges against the cap 66fas shown in Fig. 7.

The important feature of the present invention is the utilization of the pressure of the released fluid to move the puncturing member into completely operated position, so that it is assured that the closure member will be completely penetrated.

Referring to Fig. l, we have shown a series of containers II fitted with the form of our device shown in Fig. 2. 'I'he containers are supported on blocks 8I which support them a distance from the iloor for purposes that will appear hereinafter.- The containers are maintained in an upright position by clamps 82 which grip the sides thereof. The head with the puncturing device, represented collectively by the numeral 83, is attached to the container Il. The outlet pipes 40, 4I and 42 from the heads are interconnected, the pipe 48 of one head 83 being connected to the pipe 4I of the adjoining head, and pipes 42 on all`heads leading to a common header 84 with an outlet 85 connected to` distributing devices.

To release the fluid in the containers it is onlv necessaryto depress the hand1e39of any one of the heads 83. This releases the fluid in that container as explained heretofore and produces a.Y y

fluid pressure in the pipes 40, 4I, 42 and the header 84. The fluid pressure being transmitted header 84 to its opening 85 and the distributing devices. o

When it is desired to replace one of the containers Il it is necessary to unscrew the union member 20, loosen the clamp 82, and remove the block 8i. This permits the container II to be lowered the distance which it was supported above the floor. This distance is greater than the distance between the seat 44 and the face I8 of the head 83 and it therefore allows the seat 44 to clear the face of the body I8 which contacts the face I8. The cylinder can, therefore, be easily moved for recharging or replacing. It should be noted that we have made the distance between the seat 44 and the face I8 of the head 83 small so that the distance that the container II must .be lowered for removal is small.

In recharging, the cap 58 is removed from the filler valve and the recharging means attached to the threaded body- 52. They pressure exerted by the recharging fluid displaces the ball valve 56 from its seat andv allows the fluid to pass through the opening 41 to the opening I3 and thence to the interior of the container Il. The diaphragm 48 has a lower rupturing value than the diaphragm I4 so thatin case of an excess pressure in the container II this diaphragm will rupture before the container or the diaphragm I4. This is of particular benet where recharging is undertaken with the container attached to the head 83,and the rupturing of the diaphragm I4 would create a pressure in the other heads and opn y erate them so as to release the pressure contained therein. The port 58 in the safety plug is considrably smaller in cross-section than the main discharge outlet I3 so as to prevent excessive recoil in case of a discharge through the safety port. This is of particular importance in portable cylinders or in cylinders that are not hooked up into a system and hence are not firmly anchored, because the discharge of the high pressure fluid through a large safety port would results in a powerful recoil that might do a great deal of damage. 'Ihe cross-sectional area of the main discharge port must necessarily be large enough to permit free and rapid discharge of the fluid, but the diameter of the safety port is'preferably only large enough to insure escape of fluid fast enough to keep the pressure in the cylinder below a predetermined maximunr under extreme temperature variations.

` departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. We, therefore, wish our invention to be construed wholly by the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. A releasing device for use in connection with a fluid container having an opening, and a closure for the opening, comprising: a body forming a chamber; an operating member in said chamber; means whereby said operating member" may be actuated; and a puncturing member associated with said operating member, said puncturing member being operable by said operating member to puncture said closure, there being means for utilizing the released fluid to assist in actuating said operating member.

2. A releasing device for use in connection with a uid container having an opening, and a closure for the opening, comprising: a body forming a chamber; an operating member in said chamber; means whereby said operating member may be actuated; a puncturing member associated with said operating member, said puncturing member Vbeing operable by said operating member to puncture said closure, there being means for utilizing the released iluid to assist in actuating said operating member; and means for forming a seal around said puncturing member when said puncturing member is in -operated position.

3. A releasing device for use in connection with a fluid container having an opening, and a closure for the opening, comprising: a body forming a chamber; an operating member in said chamber; means whereby said operating member may be actuated; a puncturing member associated with said operating member, said puncturing member being operable by said operating miember to puncture said closure, there being an opening in said puncturing member located to receive released fluid and pass it to the chamber to assist in actuating said operating member.

4. A releasing device for use in connection with a uid container having an opening and a closure for the opening, comprising: a body forming a chamber; an operating member in said chamber; means whereby saidoperating member may bev actuated; a puncturing member associated with saidtoperating member, said puncturing member being operable by said op puncturing member being operable by said operating member to puncture said closure, there being means for conveying the released fluid to said chamber so that the pressure thereof may, be utilized to assist in the actuation of` said op-f said closure, there being means for conveying' the released iiuid to said chamber so that the' pressure thereof may be utilized to assist in the actuation of said operating member; check means for preventing said fluid from reaching said chamber until the pressure thereof exceeds the pressure in said chamber; and means-for forming a seal around said puncturing member when said puncturing member is in operated position.

7. A releasing device for use in connection with a uid container having an opening, andl a closure for the opening, comprising: a body forming a chamber; an operating member in the form of a piston in said chamber; means whereby said operating member may be actuated; and a puncturing member associated with said operating member, said puncturing member being operable by said operating member to puncture said closure, there being means for utilizing the released iiuid to assist in actuating said operating member.

8. A releasing device for use in connection with a fluid container having an opening, and a closure for the opening, comprising: a body forming a chamber; an operating member in the form of a piston in said chamber; means whereby said operating member may be actuated; a puncturing member associated with said operating member, said puncturing member being operable by said operating member to puncture said closure, there being means for utilizing the released fluid to assist in actuating said operating member; and means for y forming a seal around said puncturing member when said puncturing member is in operated position.

9. A releasing device for use in connection with a :duid container having an opening, and a closure for the opening, comprising: ka. body forming a chamber; an operating member in vthe form of a piston in said chamber; means where- -by said operating member may be actuated; a

puncturing member associated with said operating member, said puncturing member being operable by said operating member to puncture said closure, there being an opening in said puncturing member receiving released fluid and passing it to the chamber'to assist in actuating said operating member. y

10. A releasing device for use in connection with a fluid container having an opening, and a closure forthe opening, comprising: a body forming a chamber; an operating member in the form of a piston in said chamber; means whereby said operating member may be actuated; a puncturing member associated with said operating member, said puncturing member being operable by said operating member to puncture said closure, there being means for conveying aol the released uid to said chamber so that the pressure thereof may be utilized to assist in the actuation of said operating member; and check means for preventing said uid from reaching said chamber until the pressure thereof exceeds the pressure in said chamber.

11. A releasing device for use in connection with a fluid container having an opening, and a closure for the opening, comprising:` a body forming a chamber; an operating member in the form of a piston in said chamber; means whereby said operating member may be actuated; a puncturing member associated with-said operating member, said puncturing member being operable by said operating member to puncture said closure, there being means for conveying the released fluid to said chamber so that the pressure thereof may be utilized to assist in the actuation of said operating member; check means for preventing saiduid from reaching said chamber until the pressure thereof exceeds the pressure in said chamber; and means for forming a seal around said puncturing member when said puncturing member is in operated position.

12. A releasing device for use in .connectionl with a fluid container having an opening, and a closure for the opening, comprising: a body forming a chamber; an operating member in said chamber; means whereby said operating member may be actuated; and a member for opening the closure associated with said operating member, said member being operable by said operating member to puncture said closure, there being means for utilizing the released fluid to assist the first mentioned means in actuating said operating member.

13. A device for opening a fluid container including an opening member operable to open the` container, an actuating member for operating the opening member, means for operating the actuating member, and means whereby fluid released from the container acts with the first mentioned means on the actuating member to operate it.

14. A releasing device for use in connection with a iiuid container having an opening, and a closure for the opening, comprising: a body forming a chamber; an operating memberv in said chamber; means for actuating the operating member; and a puncturing member operable by said operating member to puncture said closure, there being means for utilizing the released fluid to assist in actuating said operating member in moving the puncturing member.

15. A device for opening a fluid container including, an opening member, fluid pressure actuated means for operating the opening member, and a. connection between the container and said means allowing fluid released from the container to act on said means.

16. A device for opening a uid container including, an opening member, uid pressure actuated means for operating the opening member, a connection between the container and said means allowing uid released from the container to act on said means, and a control for said connection preventing fluid from the container from acting on said means until its pressure exceeds that actuating said means.

17. In combination, a plurality of control devices, means operatively interconnecting the control devices, a plurality of fluid containers to be controlled by said devices, means for detachably connecting the control devices and containers when the containers are positioned to cooperate with the devices and while the control devices are interconnected, and releasable supporting means for holding the containers lin said position.

18. In combination, a unitary structure including, a plurality of control devices and means operatively interconnecting the control devices, a plurality of uid containers to be controlled by said devices, means for detachably connecting the control devices and containers when the containers are positioned to cooperate with the devices and removable supporting means for holding `the containers in said position, each device including means preventing escape of fluid when its container is detached.

19. The combination of a container, a delivery connection, a chambered coupling in communication with the container and the delivery connection, a sealing disk interposed between the container and the delivery connection, a piston mounted in the chamber of the coupling and subject to pressure from an external source, means to prevent effective resistance to the operative movement of the piston, and a tubular cutter carried by the piston and communicating beyond the piston with the chamber and adapted to rupture the disk in its forward movement with the piston.

20. Inan apparatus of the character described, a container for a medium under pressure, a closure for retaining the medium in the container including a frangible disk, means for rupturing the frangible disk at will to permit the release of the medium, a'conduit for conducting the released medium to a desired point at which it is not desirable to have an accidental discharge of the fluid, and means for protecting the frangible disk against failure due to an increase in the pressure within the container, said means including a port not in communication with the conduit and closed by a second frangible disk designed to burst at a pressure lower than that at which the first disk is designed to. burst. 1

21. Incombination, a plurality of control devices, means operatively interconnecting the control devices, a plurality of fluid containers to be controlled by said devices, and means for detachably connecting the control devices and containers when the containers are positioned to cooperate. with the devices, each control device including means preventing escape of uid therefrom when its container is detached.

22. In combination, a plurality of control devices, means operatively interconnectingv the control devices to form a unitary assembly, a plurality of fluid containers adapted to be elevated to position to supply uid to the control devices, means for detachably connecting the containers and control devices when the containers are positioned to supply uid to the devices, and removable supports for individually holding the containers in position to supply fluid to the devices, each control device including means preventing escape of fluid therefrom when its container is detached.

23. In a control for a fluid container having an outlet passage, a frangible disk, means-holding the disk in position to close said passage, a cylinder, a piston operable in the cylinder, a member carried' by the piston to be operated thereby to open the disk, and a washer located to act between the piston and said means upon the piston being operated to actuate said member, said piston having a passageway therethrough for the escape of fluid from the container.

24. The combination oi' la container, a delivery connection, a chambered coupling in communication, with the container and the delivery connection, a `sealing disk interposed between the container and the delivery connection, a piston member mounted in the chamber of the coupling and subject to pressure by which it may be driven toward the disk, means to prevent effective resistance to the operative movement of the piston, a device carried by the piston and adapted to rupture the disk in its forward movement with the piston, and means to prevent communication between the container and the face of the piston opposite the face subjected to pressure, said device being tubular and aifording a means of escape for iiuid from the container.

25. The combination of a container, a delivery connection, a chambered coupling in communication with the container and the delivery connection, a sealing disc interposed. between the container and the delivery connection, a piston mounted in the chamber of the coupling and subject to pressure by which it may be driven toward the disk and having a passage therethrough, and a device carried by ythe piston and adapted to rupture the disk in its forward movement with the piston, said passage providing communication between the container and the delivery connection when the disk is ruptured.

26. The combination of a container, a delivery connection, a chambered coupling in communication with the container and the delivery connection, a sealingdisk interposed between the container and the delivery connection, a piston mounted in the chamber of the coupling and subject to pressure from an external source and havlng a sleeve extension above its head provided with a port for communication with the chamber, means to prevent effective resistance to the operative movement of the piston, and a tubular cutter carried by the piston and having a port in registration with the port in the piston extension and adapted to cnt the central portion of the disk in its forward movement with the piston.

27. In combination, a container carrying fluid under pressure, a member secured to the container and formed with a seat and an outlet opening, a closure disk, means retaining the disk on the seat to close the opening, a second member for connection with the rst-mentioned mem- 'ber and adapted to iit against the first-mentioned member and forming a chamber and having an outlet opening, a piston in the chamber, a cutter carried by the piston to open the disk, and a coupling part carried by one member and threaded to the other member detachably connecting the members.

28. In combination, a container for carrying fluid under pressure, a device connected with the container and having an outlet opening, a penetrable closure for said opening, a body connected with said device and having a chamber, a piston operable in the chamber, a cutter carried by the piston and slidably iitting said opening, the cutter being operable to open the closure.

29. In combination, a container for carrying fluid under pressure, a device connected with the container and having an outlet opening, a penetrable closure for said opening, a body connected with said device and having a chamber, a piston operable in the chamber, a cutter carried by the piston, the cutter being operable to open the closure, there being a passage through the cutter and piston through which iiuid from the container passes to the chamber to act on one side only of the piston.

30. In an apparatus of the character described,

a container for fluid under pressure having a 'discharge port, a closure for said port yieldable under abnormal pressure, opening means operable at will tc open saidclosure and discharge fluid from the container, a conduit constituting the sole means for delivering the discharged fluid to a desired point, and safety means preventing delivery of fluid from the container to said point unless said opening means is operated.

31. In an apparatus of the character described, a primary and secondary container for fluid' under pressure, eachcontainer having a discharge port and a closure member therefor, the closure member of the primary container comprising a frangible disk yieldable to abnormal fluid pressure, a primary opening means operable a't will to open the closure member of th e primary container to discharge fluid therefrom, a secondary opening means operable by uid pressure for -opening the closure member of the secondary container, a conduit constituting the sole means for leading fluid discharged by the primary opening means to operate the secondary opening means, and safety means preventing delivery of uid to operate the secondary opening means unless said primary opening means is operated.

32. In combination, a container having a discharge port, a frangible closure member for said port adapted to retain fluid under 4pressure in the container but yieldable under pressure above a predetermined value, means operable at will for rupturing said member to release fluid from the container, a conduit for delivering the fluid thus released to a predetermined point at which it is not desirable to have an accide'ntal discharge, a pressure relief port for the container leading to another point, and a frangible closure member controlling the pressure relief port, the latter member being adapted to yield at a lower pressure than that at which the first member would yield so as to prevent accidental release of fluid from the container into the conduit by a rise of pressure in the container.

33. In combination, a. container carrying a fluid under pressure, a vpenetrable closure member for the container, a punch adapted to penetrate the closure member and cut a iiap out of said member but integrally attached thereto at one side, said punch being tubular in form and provided with a sharp cutting edge and with a blunt shoulder at one side adapted to engage the closure member and form an anvil about which the attached side of the flap may be bentby-pressure of the fluid, and means for operating the punch,

34. In combination, a container carrying a fluid under pressure, a penetrable closure member for the container, a punch adapted to penetrate the closure member and cut a ap out of said member but integrally attached thereto at one side, said punch being tubular in form and provided with a sharp cutting edge and with a blunt shoulder at one side adapted to engage the closure member and form an anvil about which the attached side of the flap may be bent by pressure of the fluid, means for operating the punch, and means for limiting the penetrating movement of the punch.

35. In combination, a. container carrying iiuid under pressure, a penetrable closure member for the container, a punch adapted to penetrate the closure member and cut a ilap out of said member but integrally attached thereto at one side, said punch being tubular in form and provided with a sharp cutting edge and with a blunt shoulder at one side adapted to engage the closure member' 75 and form an anvil about which the attached side of the flap may be bent by pressure of the uid, said cutting edge being sharpened inwardly toward the inner periphery of the punch so that said edge will be substantially coincident with said inner periphery, and means for operating the punch.

36. A releasing device for a container holding iluid under pressure and having an outlet with a penetrable closure member normally sealing said outlet, said device comprising a hollow body having a discharge port, a tubular punch operable in the body to puncture and cut a iiap out of said member, the cuttingl end of the punch being slanted with respect to the longitudinal axis of the punch and being sharpened toward the inner periphery of said punch to form an arcuate cutting edge substantially coincident with said inner periphery and lying in a plane inclined from normal to said axis, whereby in operation the cutting edge will penetrate the closure member initially at one point and the cut will then be developed circularly with a shearing action in opposite directions from said point, means for operating the punch, and means for arresting the punch after a flap has been cut of more than degrees in extent but suiliciently less than 360 degrees to leave an integral connection between the flap and the body of the member on which the flap will be hinged by the pressure of said fluid without tearing off.

37. A releasing device for a container holding fluid under pressure and having an outlet with a penetrable closure member normally sealing said outlet, said device comprising a hollow body having a discharge port, and a tubular punch operable in the body to puncture and cut a flap out of said member, the cutting end of the punch being slanted with respect to the longitudinal axis of the punch and being sharpened toward the inner periphery of said punch to form an arcuate cutting edge substantially coincident with said inner periphery and lying in a plane inclined from normal to said axis, whereby in operation the cutting edge will penetrate the closure member initially at one point and the cut will then be developed circularly with a shearing action in opposite direction from said point, the cutter being formed with a recess interrupting the cutting edge on the side opposite said point to leave a hinge portion integrally connecting the cut-out flap and the body of the member, said recess being not more than 180 degrees in extent but having a minimum extent suiiicient to provide a hinge on which the flap may be bent by the pressure of said uid without tearing off.

38. A releasing device for a container holding fluid under pressure and having an outlet with a penetrable closure member normally sealing said outlet, said device comprising a hollow body having a discharge port, a tubular punch operable in the body to puncture and cut a flap out of said member, the cutting end of the punch being slanted with respect to the longitudinal axis of the punch and being sharpened toward the inner periphery of said punch to form an arcuate cutting edge substantially coincident with said inner periphery and lying in a plane inclined from normal to said axis, whereby in operation the cutting edge will penetrate the closure member initially at one point and the cut will then be developed circularly with a shearing action in opposite direction from said point, the cutter being formed with a recess interrupting the cutting edge on the side opposite said point to leave a hinge portion integrally connecting the cut-out iiap and the body of the member, said recess being not more than 180 degrees in extent but having a minimum exv tent sumcient to provide a hinge on which the iiap may be'bent by the pressure of said fluid without .tearing off, means for operating the punch, and means for arresting the punch when a cut equal in extent to the entire cutting edge has been made in said member.

39. A releasing device for a container holding uid under pressure and having an outlet with a penetrable closure member normally sealing said outlet, said device comprising a hollow body having a discharge port, a tubular punch opera.- ble in the body to puncture and cut a flap out of said member, the punch being sharpened toward the inner periphery of said punch to form an arcuate cutting edge, said cutting edge being inclined with respect to a plane normal to said axis, whereby in operation the cutting edge will penetrate the closure member initially at one point and the cut will then be developed circularly with a shearing action from said point, means for operating the punch, and means for arresting the punch after a ap has been cut of more than 180 degrees in extent but sufficiently less than 360 degrees to leave an integral connection between the ap and the body of the member on which the iiap will be hinged by the pressure of said fluid without tearing olf.

40. In combination, a container carrying uid under pressure, a penetrable closure member for the container, a tubular punch adapted to penetrate the closure member and cut a iiap out of said member, the cutting end of said punch being sharpened inwardly toward the inner periphery of the punch so as to make a cut in the closure member of smaller diameter than the outside diameter of the punch, the cutting end of the punch being recessed to provide a blunt shoulder of substantial extent between opposite ends of the cutting edge, means for advancing the punch so that the cutting edge will penetrate the closure membenand a stop for limiting advance of the punch to prevent said shoulder from being forced through the closure member.

41. A container for iiuid under pressure having a discharge port, a sealing disk normally closing the port but being rupturable at will to release said fluid, the container also having a safety port, and a safety disk normally closing the safety port, both of the disks being rupturable by an abnormal rise of pressure of the iiuid, the discharge port being of such size that upon rupture of said sealing disk the fluid escaping therefrom may produce an undesirable recoil, the safety port being of such smaller diameter than the discharge port that the recoil resulting from uid escaping from the safety port will be maintained within desirable safety limits.

SCO'I'I E. ALLEN. OZRO N. WISWELL. 

